Delivery mechanism for printing-presses and the like.



E. W. SAUERMAN.

Y MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES AND THE LIKE.

DELIVER APPLICATION FILED IULY 3I. 9H. 1

Patented Nov. 19,1918.

E. W. SAUERMAN.

DELlVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSE E. w. SAUERIVIANI DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES AND THE LIKE.

E. W. SAUERMAN. ANISM FOR PRiNTlNG PRESSES AN APPLlCATlON FILED JULY 3. I917- Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

15 SHEETS-SHEET 4- DELIVERY MECH vLW. SAUERMAN. msm FOR PRlNTlNG PRESSES A ND THE LIKE.

DELIVERY MECHA as suns-swan s E. W. SAUERMAN.

DELlVER! MECHANISM FOR PRiNT-ING PRESSES AND APPLICAHDN FILED JULY 3\.19H. f

Patented MY. 19, 1918.

15 SHEETS-SHEEY 8.

THE 'LlKE.

E. W. SAUERIVIAN. DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRE ssss AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED .IUL\ 3. NHL Fatanted Nov. 19, I918.

I5 SHEETYSI'IEEI 9.

E. W. SAUERMAN. oauvaav MECHANlSM FOR mums PRESSES AND we LIKE. APPLICATFON HLED lULY 3l. 1917- Patented N0v.19,1918.

E. w. SAUERMAN. ANIS'M FOR PRINTING messes APPLICATION FILED JULY 3h 1911.

} Patented Nov. 19,1918,

15 SHEETS-SHEET 12.

DELIVERY MECH AND THE UKE.

E. w. SAUiRMAN.

' DELIVERY MECHANKSM FOR PRINHNG PBESSES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED sun Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

'15 SHEETS-SHEET 13.-

m: mums rnzns cw. Pnuimumm. wasnmcmn. m c.

E. W. SAUERMAN.

1,285,410., Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

I5 SHEETS-SHE l4.

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E. W. SAUERMAN. DELiJERY MECHANISM FOR Pmmms messes AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JULY .1917- Patented Nov. 19,1918.

ERNEST W. SAUERIVIAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING-PRESSES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed July 31, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST I/V. SAUER- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Delivery Mechanisms for Printing-Presses and the like, of which the following is a speeification' The present invention has to do with certain improvements in delivery mechanisms for use in conjunction with printing presses and the like. The delivery mechanism to which the present invention relates is so constructed that the printed sheets coming from the press will be stacked or piled up in a certain order or sequence with respect to other intermediate or smut sheets, so that the wet sheets coming from the press will not come directly into contact with each other, but, on the contrary, will be separated by the intermediate smut sheets. The constructions and features of invention to be herein disclosed are very well adapted for use in connection with printing presses which print or stamp the windows on sheets used in the making of onepiece window envelops and the like, and for purposes of convenience I have illustrated and will describe the features of invention as applied to a press which is used for this purpose. However, I wish to make it clear that, in so doing, I do not limit myself to the use of the said features of invention on a printingpress for this purpose, inasmuch as the said features will be found applicable and very desirable for use in connection with presses used for many other classes of work.

In the manufacture of onepiece window envelops, it is the practice to make use of a cylinder type press, in which the oil or grease spots are printed on large sheets in such relationship to each other that the said sheets may be cut up into envelop blanks with the windows located at the proper points in said blanks. A similar operation is followed in the printing of blanks for many classes of service, and I mention the printing of onepiece window envelops simply by way of illustration and not as a matter of limitation. a

As the printed sheets come off from th press they are wet or damp, and, consequently, if they were to be stacked no with- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

Serial No. 183,693.

out taking special precautions to protect them, the printed matter of one sheet would blur or smut against the adjacent sheets. It is, therefore, desirable to place smut sheets in the stack alternately with respect to the freshly printed or wet sheets, so that when the stack is finished, it will be built up alternately from the wet sheets and the smut sheets. The smut sheets may be of any suitable material, such, for example, as pasteboard, corrugated paper, blotting paper, etc.

It has heretofore been the custom in carrying forward this work to make use of manual labor for placing the smut sheets in position on the pile or stack between the consecutive deliveries of the printed sheets.

In carrying forward many classes of printed work it is quite desirable to allow the stack or pile thus constructed to stand for a certain period of time in order to allow the printed sheets to dry. Thereafter the stack or pile is to be distributed, the dried sheets being removed and sent to a desired destination, and the smut sheets being used in the construction of a new stack is placed for this purpose intermediate freshly delivered wet sheets.

It has heretofore been the custom to make use of manual labor for separating the dried sheets from the smut sheets preparatory to delivering the smut sheets so released to those persons who thereafter place them onto the stack or pile which is being freshly constructed. Altogether several persons have been employed at each printing press solely for the purpose of transferring the smut sheets and printed sheets back and forth in the manner above explained.

()ne of the objects of the present invention is to provide means for automatically constructing a pile composed alternately of freshly printed sheets or wet sheets and intermediate smut sheets, the said sheets being relatively so positioned that the perforations of the smut sheets will come into registry with the oiled or printed spots of the wet sheets (in case perforated smut sheets be used).

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism whereby the foregoing results may be obtained, and wherebv the smut sheets so used may be taken directly from a previously constructed stack or pile, the

I mechanism may be decided upon.

More particularly another object of the invention is to provide mechanisms whereby the foregoing results may be obtained by the use of vacuum suction or lifting devices for removing the top sheets from the dry pile.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the features of the present invention,

Fig. 2 shows a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a front end elevation corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a back end elevation corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows diagrammatically the positions of the main operative parts at the commencement of a cycle of movements, a freshly printed sheet having just been placed on the sticks preparatory to delivery by said sticks to the wet stack. In this figure a dry sheet is being withdrawn or delivered by the delivery rolls;

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 5, the sticks having commenced their rearward travel, the smut sheet pick-up having moved down against the exposed smut sheet on the dry stack, and the delivery of the dry sheet continuing Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, the sticks having continued their travel toward the rear, the smut sheet pick-up having commenced to raise the smut sheet, and the delivery of the dry sheet still continuing;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, with the exception that the sticks have reached practically their rearmost position, the wet sheet delivery fingers have taken position to grasp the wet sheet, the smut sheet fingers have taken position to grasp the smut sheet, the delivery of the dry sheet has been completed, and the dry sheet pick-ups have started to move down;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, with the exception that the wet sheet fingers have taken hold of the wet sheet, the positioning fingers on the sticks have released the Wet sheet, and the smut sheet fingers have taken hold of the smut sheet;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, with the exception that the carriage and sticks have started to travel back, and the dry sheet pick-ups have dropped down against the exposed dry sheet;

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 10, with the exception that the carriage and sticks have traveled approximately half way back, the wet sheet being delivered onto the stack,

the smut sheet being drawn over into posideposited on the wet stack, and the parts have assumed almost their initial position shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 14: is a view of the cam block for operating the smut sheet pick-ups;

Fig. 15 is a view of the cam for operating the smut sheet bar;

Figs. 16 and 17 are views of the cams for operating the wet sheet grips so as to give the peculiar motion which will be presently explained; the cam shown in Fig. 16 gives the horizontal component of movement, and the cam shown in Fig. 17 gives the vertical component of movement;

Fig. 18 is a view of the cam the dry sheet pick-ups;

Fig. 19 is a view of the cam for operating the delivery rolls;

Fig. 20 is a View of the cam for operating the air control for the smut sheet pick-ups;

Fig. 21 is a view of the cam for operating the air control for the dry sheet pick-ups;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary assembly View of the wet sheet grips, the smut sheet grips, the sticks, the smut sheet pick-up, and the wet sheet positioning fingers, the carriage standfor operating ving at substantially its rearmost position;

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig; 22, with the exception that the carriage is near its initial position, and the smut sheet pickups are lowered into position against the dry pile;

Fig. 24: is a fragmentary detail of certain of the operating mechanisms for the smut sheet grips;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary detail of certain of the operating mechanisms for the wet sheet grips;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary detail of one of the air valves and the immediately adjacent parts;

Fig. 27 is a view corresponding to Fig. 26 except at right angles thereto:

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary assembly view of the dry sheet pick-ups and delivery rolls and the immediately adjacent parts;

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary plan view showing an assembly of the clutch, brake, and reduction gearing for controlling the move ments of the tables or platforms;

Fig. 30 is a view taken on the line 3030 of Fig. 29 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 31 is a side elevation ofthe arrangement of gears whereby it is possible to secure very fine changes or adjustments in the gear reduction ratio.

In the several figures, I have shown the features of this invention as being applied to or used in conjunction with a printing press of the ordinary type, although, as I have previously explained, they may be used in conjunction with any suitable form of printing press and for many other classes of service than that particularly explained herein. This printing press includes a carriage having a cross bar 35, end pieces 36 and 37 provided with rollers 38 traveling on the rails 39 and 40. This carriage also has the wet sheet sticks 41 on which the freshly printed wet sheets lie as they are delivered from the rolls. There is nothing particularly new in this construction but the same has been adapted to the requirements or needs of the present combinations. Sufiice it to state at this point that the carriage travels back and forth, the sticks 41 receiving a wet sheet from the printing roll as they reach their extreme right-hand position as compared to Fig. 2, being that position in which they stand closest to the printing roll, after which they travel back to the left as compared to Fig.2, preparatory to delivering the wet sheet to the .wet sheet stack.

Before proceeding to detailed description of the particular mechanisms herein disclosed, I will first have reference to the diagrammatic Figs. 5 to 13 inclusive, in which the main operative parts are shown diagrammatically in a series of consecutive positions. From an understanding of the relative movements herein depicted, the functions and purposes of the particular mechanisms will be better understood.

The sticks heretofore mentioned are designated by the numeral 41 in the several figures. The dry stack and the wet stack are designated by the numerals 42 and 43 respectively. These are built up from the paper sheets and the smut sheets 44 and 45 respectively, these sheets coming alternately in the several stacks. The wet sheet stack 43 occupies a position closer to the printing press than does the dry sheet stack 42, this arrangement being illustrated because of the convenience of the transfer of the various sheets which is thereby secured. As a matter of fact also, the machine herein illustrated is of suflicient width to accommodate two wet sheet stacks side by side and two dry sheet stacks side by side, the same being designated 4-2 and 42 and 43 and 43 in the plan view of. Fig. 2.

Mounted on the reciprocating carriage 35 is a set of fingers 46 which can be raised and they loweredwith respect tothe ends of the sticks 41, thisraising and lowering being effected by the rocking of a shaft 47. The fingers travel with the carriage and sticks and when are lowered into the position shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 13, they serve to accurately position the newly delivered Wet sheet on thesticks, so that said sheet will bear the proper position when it is delivered over the wet sheet stack.

These fingers 46 are raised near the back end of the stroke of the carriage 35, so that the wet sheet can be gripped and delivered onto the wet sheet stack. This gripping action is secured by a gripping device designated in its entirety by the numeral 48. The same has the sets of relatively movable fingers 49 and 50 which, while traveling to gether, can 'be opened and closed for the purpose of gripping the wet sheet at the proper time and in the proper manner.

In Fig. 8 the fingers are just grasping the freshly delivered wet sheet; in Fig. 9 the fingers have grasped said wet sheet; and in said figure the fingers 46 have been raised to permit the wet sheet to be drawn off from the sticks.

The wet sheet grippers 48 have a peculiar movement in the cycle of operations, the same being shown by thedotted lines 51 and 52 of Fig. 23, the upward movement being shown by the line 51 and the downward movement by the line 52. The elevation of the wet sheet stack 43 may not always remain exactly the same, owing to slight irregularities or inequalities in the rate of lowering the stack as the sheets are delivered thereonto. Therefore, on the upward movement of the grips, they are carried upward in a comparatively direct path of travel 51. After they have gripped the newly delivered wet sheet they move down by way of a very direct path of travel to a point somewhat above the top of the wet sheet stack, leaving a sufficient clearance above said stack for any inequalities in the elevation of the stack,

but nevertheless low enough to bring the newly delivered wet sheet below the top ends of the stop fingers Thereafter the grips 48 move back along a practically horizontal line a suflicient distance to cause, the edge of the newly delivered wet sheet to strike against the fingers 53, being stopped thereby, and stripped from the grips, so thatthe wet sheet will fall down onto the stack 43 in the correct position. Thereafter, the wet sheet grips are lowered an additional distance so as to get them out of the way of other opcrating mechanisms during another portion of the cycle of movements.

There is provided a series of smut sheet pick-ups 54 whose function is to take hold of the smut sheet exposed by the removal of the delivered dry sheet so that. said smut sheet can be transferred back onto the wet stack which is being constructed. These smut sheet pick-ups have chiefly a vertical movement, although they may travel on the arc of a circle, as shown. There is also provided a smut sheet bar 55 whose function is smut sheet a certain distance the bar 55 by swinging backwardly will take a position underneath the edge of the smut sheet, as

shown in Fig. 8.

There is also provided a series of smut sheet grips 56 which are carried by or actuated with the carriage bearing the crossbar 35, traveling back and forth the full movement of said carriage and in synchronism therewith. These smut sheet grips include the relatively movable fingers 57 and 58 which normally stand in the relatively open position shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 12, and 13, but which may be closed at the proper time to grip the edge of the smut sheet, as shown in Figs. 8', 9, 10, and 11. When so gripped the same sheet will be drawn back on the return movement of the carriage, so that it will be positioned over the top of the newly constructed wet stack, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. During this travel the smut sheet rides over the bar or roller 55.

There is also provided a pair of delivery rolls 59 and 60 which can be relatively moved.

These rolls normally stand in contact or close together, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13, but they can be momentarily separated, as shown in Fig. 11, to receive between them the edgeof a dry sheet, so as to deliver the same. The delivery illustrated is onto the tapes 61 and 62, as shown in Fig. 1. The inner ends of these tapes travel on the rolls 59 and 60 respectively, and thence over other rolls 63 and 64 respectively. The tapes are not necessary for the delivery of many classes of sheets, but when they are used they travel outwardly continuously away from the rolls 59 and 60.

There is also provided a series of dry sheet pick-ups 65 whose function is to take hold of the dry sheet exposed by the removal of a smut sheet from the dry pile and transfer the edge of the dry sheet to a point where it can be gripped between the rolls 59 and 60 so as to be removed by said rolls. The movement of the dry sheet pick-ups is well shown in Fig. 28, by means of the dotted lines 66. During the first portion of the pick-up operation, the movement is chiefly vertical so as to lift the dry sheet away from the stack, after which the movement becomes horizontalso' as to transfer the edge of the dry sheet to a point where it will be gripped by the rolls. By providing the vertical portion of the movement, assurance will be had that the dry sheet pick-ups will operate properly, regardless-of slight inequalities in the elevation of the dry pile.

Bearing in mind the foregoing description of the main operating parts I will now describe their main functions. Commencing with the position shown in Fig. 5, the carriage there stands in its extreme right-hand or forward position. The positioning fingers 46 are lowered with respect to the sticks 41, the newly delivered wet sheet 44 is lying on the sticks against the fingers 46, and the backward or left-hand movement of the carriage will carry the newly delivered wet sheet over the wet stack 43. In this figure also a dry sheet 44 is being removed from the dry stack, and in fact this process of removing a dry sheet has proceeded to such an extent that a considerable portion of the next lower smut sheet hasbeen exposed at the right-hand or forward side of the pile. The smut sheet pick-ups 54 are in their raised position, the smut sheet bar 55 is in its lowered position, the Wet sheet grips 48 are in their lowered position, and the dry sheet pick-ups are in their raised position adjacent to their rolls 59 and 60.

Moreover, the suction of air has been cut off from the dry sheet pick-ups 65, so that the dry sheet is enabled to travel past the said pick-ups without interference.

Proceeding to the position shown in Fig. 6, the backward or left-hand movement 0 the carriage has commenced. The delivery of the dry sheet 44 is proceeding, and the smut sheet pickups have been lowered against the exposed edge portion of the next lower smut sheet on the stack 42. Proceeding to Fig. 7 we find that the backward or left-hand travel of the carriage is still proceeding, the wet sheet grips are rising preparatory to taking hold of the wet sheet 44 lying on the sticks 41. Also the smut sheet pick-ups 54 have commenced to rise and raise with them the smut sheet which they engage. The delivery of the dry sheet is still proceeding in Fig. 7.

Passing to Fig. 8, we find that the dry sheet has been completely delivered, the carriage has traveled almost to its extreme lefthand or backward position, the wet sheet grips have taken position ready to grip the edge of the wet sheet on the sticks, the smut sheet pick-ups have risen, and the smut sheet bar 55 has moved backwardly to a position underneath the edge of the raised smut sheet. Also in this figure the smut sheet grips are ready to take hold of the edge of the raised smut sheet and the dry sheet pickups have started to move down into position against the exposed edge of the dry sheet which is next to be delivered.

Passing to Fig. 9, we find that the wet sheet grips have taken hold of the edge of the wet sheet, the positioning fingers 46 have been raised out of theway, the smut sheet grips 56 have taken hold of the edge of the raised smut sheet, and the dry sheet pickups 65 are continuing to descend.

Passing to Fig. 10, we find that the movements have proceeded an additional amount to the extent that the dry sheet pick-ups have come into contact with the exposed portion of the dry sheet on the top of the stack 42, and the suction of air has been cut off from the smut sheet pick-ups 54, so that the smut sheet may be drawn across the face of said pick-ups. Immediately after the lowering of the dry sheet pick-ups 65 into the position shown in Fig. 10, the suction of air is established, so that when said pick-ups are raised the dry sheet will also rise.

In Fig. 11, the return movement of the carriage has proceeded. to a considerable extent. The wet sheet grips 48 have been holding the wet sheet 44, while the carriage returns, so that the sticks 41 have been pulling away from underneath the wet sheet and allowing it to descend onto the top of the stack 43. Also the smut sheet 45 has been moved forwardly. or to the right with the re turn of the carriage. Also the dry sheet pick-ups 65 have commenced to raise and transfer the edge of the dry sheet to the delivery rolls.

In Fig. 12, the carriage has practically reached its return position. The smut sheet is ready to drop onto the top of the wet stack 43, and the delivery of the dry sheet previously raised has commenced.

In Fig. 13, the smut sheet has been dropped down into the top of the stack and the dry sheet is passing between the rolls. Also the positioning fingers 46 have been lowered, so that when the neXt wet sheet is delivered onto the sticks 41, it will be correctly positioned. A slight additional movement will restore the parts to the relative positions shown in Fig. 5.

The foregoing description of the relative movements or operations of the main operative parts will make clear the functions and mode of operation of the mechanisms of this machine. Certain of the said so-callecl main operative parts may, in some cases, be eliminated, as, for example, the smut sheet bar 55. However, the various parts hereinbefore referred to and whose functions have been explained, will ordinarily be used, and, at any rate, their use is desirable in order to secure the best operation of the entire ensemble.

Furthermore, the exact manner in which the various operative parts are articulated is largely immaterial, inasmuch as it will be evident that many forms of mechanisms might be devised for giving the desired relative movements. Consequently, although I shall presently explain a particular construction of mechanism for articulating these parts, I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the said mechanisms except as I may do so in the claims.

Furthermore, the particular form and relative arrangement of the various main operative parts thcmselvesmay from time to time be modified or varied, either in the same machine or in difierent machines, without departing from the principles and mode of operation of this invention. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the particular construction or arrangement of the main operative parts, excepts as I may do so in the claims.

Bearing all of the foregoing facts in mind, I will now proceed to describe more in detail the particular construction of machine and mechanisms herein illustrated, and in so doing I shall, as far as possible, use the same numerals which I have already used for designating the various main operative parts.

The main operative parts are conveniently carried by a frame work comprising a set of upright posts 67 68, and 69 on each side of the machine. On the upper portions of these posts are mounted the side rails 70 and 71 and the front and rear cross rails 9 72 and 73 respectively. Secured to these portions of the frame are the vertical guide posts 74 and 75 in the front of the machine, and 76 and 77 in the rear portion of the machine. The guide posts 74 and 75 are for the table or platform 78 which carries the stacks 43 and 43?, and the guide posts 76 and 77 are for the platform 79 which carries the stacks 42 and 42 Suitably journaled in the. upper side portions of the frame are the longitudinally ex tending shafts 80 and 81. Mounted on the shaft 81 is a pair of sprockets 82 and 83 for the platform 79 and mounted on the shaft 80 is a pair of sprockets 84 and 85 for said platform. Other sprockets 86, 87, 88, and 89 are mounted on the shafts 81 and 80 respectively (the sprockets 87 and 89 being hidden in Fig. 2), all of said sprockets being for the platform 78. Chains 90 pass over the sprockets on the shaft 81, and chains 91 pass over the sprockets on the shaft 80, the lower ends of all of said chains passing over sprockets 92 which are suitably journaled in the lower portion of the frame. By rotating the shafts 80 and 81, these chains travel over their sprockets. The platforms 78 and 79 are provided with lugs or projections 93, best shown in Fig. 1, which are connected to their respective chains in such a manner that the platforms will rise and fall according to the movements of the shafts. The lugs of the two platforms are so connected to their respective chains that one platform rises while the 

